Liverpool condemned Crystal Palace to a fourth successive Premier League defeat with a 3-1 victory at Selhurst Park, leaving Eagles boss Pierre Sage facing growing uncertainty over his future.
Palace remain bottom with seven points from their opening 10 matches under Sage, who replaced Oliver Glasner in the summer.
Despite creating several promising opportunities, the hosts were punished by goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak before Eddie Nketiah converted a late consolation penalty.
Mac Allister opened the scoring five minutes before half-time, meeting a cleverly worked free-kick with an excellent header.
Wirtz extended Liverpool’s advantage in the 59th minute, finishing neatly after Bradley Barcola found him inside the area.
Isak had been largely subdued but made his mark a minute from time, calmly scoring his seventh league goal of the campaign.
Nketiah replied with the final kick of the match after Milos Kerkez was penalised, but the result had long been settled.
Palace initially struggled to impose themselves, although Yeremy Pino briefly lifted the home crowd when his close-range strike crashed against the crossbar.
Liverpool enjoyed plenty of early possession without creating much, while Jorgen Strand Larsen thought he had put Palace ahead only to be denied by an offside decision.
The Eagles continued to threaten and forced Alisson Becker into six saves, but could not find a way through until Nketiah’s stoppage-time spot-kick.
Liverpool’s victory offered a welcome response to their disappointing European defeat at Fenerbahce in midweek.
They move up to fourth, nine points behind leaders Arsenal.
Missed opportunities deepen Palace’s troubles
The international break arrives with Sage’s position under increasing scrutiny.
Succeeding Glasner, who delivered FA Cup and Conference League success, was always likely to be demanding.
Even so, Palace’s slide to the foot of the table has made the Frenchman’s start particularly difficult.
There have been mitigating circumstances. In their previous outing, Palace played almost 80 minutes with 10 men following Jean-Philippe Mateta’s dismissal in a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham.
Against Liverpool, their problem was an inability to convert chances. Alisson repeatedly frustrated the hosts, who had to wait until the 95th minute to score.
Mac Allister’s opener visibly dented Palace’s confidence, quietening the crowd and allowing Liverpool to take greater control.
Sage received subdued applause as he headed down the tunnel at full-time.
Whether he remains in charge for the visit to Coventry City on 21 November is increasingly uncertain.
Liverpool keep delivering away from Anfield
Liverpool’s away form continues to underpin their season under Andoni Iraola.
The Reds have now won four consecutive league matches on their travels and remain unbeaten away from home, with both of their league defeats coming at Anfield.
Although their performances have yet to reach a consistently convincing level, they enter the international break just four points behind second-placed Brighton.
There are still defensive concerns.
Alisson was central to this victory, producing several important saves, while Pino’s effort against the woodwork provided another warning.
Liverpool nevertheless took their chances and collected another valuable three points, giving Iraola a stronger platform to build on when league action resumes.
